Jeffreys Bay South Africa Surfing Billabong Pro

Surf School Volunteers Jeffreys Bay South Africa

2008-08-05T18:06:00.004+01:00

Join our Community Surf School in Jeffreys Bay to teach the local kids to surf and teach them your skills helping us develop our local surf team.
(Your fees help Sponsor the local Surf Team in Jeffreys Bay)

Surfing Volunteers Jeffreys Bay South Africa

Endless Summers and Home to the Perfect Wave.

THE PROJECT:
Learn to Surf and Teach Surfing in Jeffreys Bay while helping the local community with sport upliftment projects.

THE SURF SCHOOL:
Jeffreys Bay Surf School, based at the Beach Lodge is the leading surf school in Town and one of the best in the country. Our Surf instructor is the Eastern Province Surf Team's coach and a qualified life guard, ensuring absolute professionalism and competency - special boards are used for complete beginners. Depending on surf conditions lessons are run daily.

THE COMMUNITY:
This community is located near the beach lodge along the most breathtaking coastline with miles and miles of unspoiled beaches. Project that you will be involved with are, working with the children in the pre-school and primary school, working with street children, maintenance of schools and homes, sport development and building projects.

ACCOMMODATION:
Beach Lodge is perched on a dune with a 270º view of the Indian Ocean. As the name suggests this is a place that travellers from around the world meet to share their experiences. Aloe framed views from our wooden decks overlook surf and sand, and are ideal for all year whale and dolphin watching. The unique vibe of the bar and cafeteria area offer all day refreshments, meals and fun late into the night. An advantage is that the Beach House is located within a minute’s walk from the community and surf.

Single Room/ Double Room: Here you stay alone or share with a friend.

Sharing Double: In this option you book a bed in a large en-suite room. You might share a room with someone from a completely different culture which adds to the whole learning experience. These rooms have there own private kitchen and barbeque area. The rooms have sea views and a balcony/veranda with deck chairs to soak up those golden rays.

Dormitory: This consists of 4 bed dorms where bathrooms on-suite. There is also a large communal kitchen. This is for the young at heart who enjoy the adventure of backpacking. More info on the Beach Lodge

THINGS TO DO:
This area offers a wealth of activities like untouched hiking trails, sandboarding, horse riding on unspoiled beaches, game drives and much more.

THE PROGRAM:
You will be collected at the airport in Port Elizabeth and transferred to Jeffrey's Bay where you will be staying at the beach lodge.

Your First week you will join the local surf school in Jeffreys Bay to get a idea of what it entails to teach surfing. The surf school runs during the week, the weekends can be used to explore, relax on the beach or explore all the surf and other shops.

The mornings will consist of helping with surf lessons on the main beach with beginners and community kids.

During the afternoons you will be working in the community on a selection of upliftment projects and surfing with the local children.

Work days will be weekdays from 8-4 and weekends free to relax or explore the area, there are a selection of day excursions you can join to surrounding Game Farms and attractions.

Program Costs

Please note that you can extend for any length of time
(min 2 weeks)

ZAR 2950 per week South African Rands

Includes Accommodation (shared 4 Sleeper Dorm Room at Beach Lodge) and Transfers to and from Port Elizabeth (Accommodation upgrades to single and double rooms available) Sponsorship for community Projects and sponsoring of local kids that participate in surfing events included.

See for more details

Jeffreys Bay Billabong Pro 2008

2008-07-17T23:00:00.000+01:00

The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, held from 10-20 July 2008, marks the halfway point on the ASP World Tour.

ASP World Championship Tour (WCT) Billabong Pro Supertubes, Jeffreys Bay, South Africa

Waiting Period July 10-20, 2008

All of the world’s top 45 ranked professional surfers will be in Jeffreys Bay from 9-20 July 2008 for the R2.1 million Billabong Pro, the only stop on the African continent for the Foster’s ASP World Tour, the 10-event series of events that determines surfing’s annual men’s world champion.

17 July 2008 King Kelly rules at Billabong Pro in Jeffreys Bay

2008-07-17T16:22:00.000+01:00

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Thursday, July 17, 2008)

King Kelly rules at Billabong Pro in Jeffreys Bay

Jeffreys Bay (Thursday, July 17, 2008) – Kelly Slater (USA) added yet another chapter to his storied career today, convincingly winning the 2008 Billabong Pro at Jeffreys Bay to lay early claim to an unprecedented ninth ASP World Title by recording his fourth victory in the five events run this year.
Unfazed by the difficult conditions created by the fresh onshore wind that chopped up the waves at Supertubes, Slater’s superior wave selection and decision making on the waves he rode left reigning ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) still needing to improve both of his counting waves when the siren sounded to end the final.
“I was lucky in the final, I got a wave under Mick’s priority that turned out to be my best score,” Slater said on the podium. “In conditions like that you need to go on anything that looks like you can get three manoeuvres in.”
Slater earned US $30 000 (approx R225 000) and 1 200 ratings points giving him a lead of 1 268 points over second placed Joel Parkinson (AUS) in the 2008 rankings. With six events still to be run, the Floridian has yet to be beaten by any of his World Tour opponents having lost to a wildcard in the Billabong Pro Tahiti – the only event he didn’t win.
Slater also gets his name on the perpetual Billabong Pro J-Bay trophy for a record fourth time and was presented with a sculptured bust of former South African President Nelson Mandela, chosen by the organisers to celebrate Madiba’s 90th birthday tomorrow.
“What an honour,” Slater exclaimed when presented with the trophy. “Happy birthday Madiba, you’ve been an inspiration to us all.”
Despite feeling that he could have won the event, Fanning was gracious in defeat, congratulating Slater on his victory and vowing to use his second place finish and jump from seventh to fourth on the ratings as a springboard to challenge for honours in the upcoming events.
“I guess it’s not over ‘till it’s over,” Fanning said of the 2008 World Title race. “But it’s going to be like climbing Everest and he (Slater) is halfway up the hill.”
After three days of awesome conditions for the opening rounds of the 2008 Billabong Pro, the final day started out with the biggest waves of the event, giving the 12 remaining contenders the opportunity to perform their entire repertoire of manoeuvres on rides lasting more than 300 metres.
Fanning and former World Champions CJ Hobgood (USA) and Andy Irons (HAW) were joined by defending event champion Taj Burrow (AUS) in making it a clean sweep of the top eight seeds into the quarterfinals
In Round 4 it was Burrow who eliminated Jordy Smith, the last South African left in the event, sending the Durbanite home with equal 9th place overall. Smith, in his rookie year on the ASP World Tour, jumped from 19th to 16th on the ratings.
After a windless start, a NE onshore breeze started ruffling the faces of the waves during the quarterfinals where current World No 2 Parkinson (AUS) got the better of World No. 3 Bede Durbidge (AUS), Slater overcame World No. 4 Adriano de Souza (Brazil), Fanning eliminated Hobgood and Burrow stayed on track for a second successive victory by edging out Irons.
By the semifinals the wind had increased in velocity and despite Parkinson starting out with the highest score of their match-up, an outstanding 9.17 out of 10, Slater chipped away at the lead with rides of 8.0 and 7.0. When the Aussie failed to find anything better than a 5.0 for his second counting ride, Slater was into the final.
The second semi went Fanning’s way thanks to an opening 7.67 followed by an excellent 9.17 while Burrow’s best two rides in the 30 minute encounter earned 6.0 and 5.83.
Californian Taylor Knox was the recipient of the WTA prize of a custom handcrafted Nixon timepiece valued at US $10 000 for the highest heat tally of the event. Knox racked up 19.70 points out of a possible 20 in Round 1 action last Thursday, claiming the winner-takes-all award for near perfect rides of 9.90 and 9.80.
Taj Burrow’s spectacular form throughout the event prevented three of the five South African contenders from posting a serious challenge in their home event. Burrow beat wildcard Rudy Palmboom Jr. (Bluff) in Round 1, eliminated Royden Bryson (East London) in Round 3 and Jordy Smith in Round 4.
Travis Logie (Durban) was a victim of Slater’s victory charge, bowing out in Round 3 while Ricky Basnett, who has yet to win a single heat in 2008, was sidelined by Jeremy Flores (FRA) in Round 2.
All the action from every heat in the 2008 Billabong Pro can viewed in the Video section of the website www.billabongpro.com where event statistics, athlete interviews and a range of photographs can also be found.
Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay
Final day Results
Final
Kelly Slater (USA) 16.73 def Mick Fanning (AUS) 9.40
Semifinals
SF1: Slater 15.00 def Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.17
SF2: Fanning 16.84 def Taj Burrow (AUS) 11.83
Quarterfinals
QF1: Parkinson 17.74 def Bede Durbidge (AUS) 14.00
QF2: Slater 15.17 def Adriano de Souza (BRA) 9.84
QF3: Fanning 14.27 def C J Hobgood (USA) 9.60
QF4: Burrow 13.57 def Andy Irons (HAW) 8.47
Round 4
Heat 5: Fanning 16.44 def Bruce Irons (HAW) 13.33
Heat 6: Hobgood 14.76 def Frederic Patacchia (HAW) 10.33
Heat 7: Burrow 17.00 def Jordy Smith (ZAF) 16.76
Heat 8: Irons 11.34 def Jeremy Flores (FRA) 5.23
2008 ASP World Tour Ratings
After Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay (event No. 5 of 11)
1 Kelly Slater (USA) 5210
2 Joel Parkinson (AUS) 3948
3 Bede Durbidge (AUS) 3782
4 Mick Fanning (AUS) 3753
5 Taj Burrow (AUS) 3638
6 Adriano de Souza (BRA) 3540
7 C.J. Hobgood (USA) 3460
8 Andy Irons (HAW) 3338
9 Bobby Martinez (USA) 3028
10 Adrian Buchan (AUS) 2884
South Africans
16 Jordy Smith (ZAF) 2245
34 Royden Bryson (ZAF) 1680
39 Travis Logie (ZAF) 1495
44 Ricky Basnett (ZAF) 1125
Issued on behalf of:
Billabong South Africa
Contact: Peter Nicholson
Telephone: +27 (0) 42 200 2600
Email: peter.nicholson@billabong.co.za
Compiled and issued by:
Life's a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax: +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email: lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

17 July 2008 Slater Wins Billabong Pro J Bay

2008-07-17T13:59:00.001+01:00

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Thursday, July 17, 2008) – Kelly Slater (USA), professional surfing’s most decorated athlete, showed no signs of slowing down in Jeffreys Bay today.

KELLY SLATER WINS!!!
Eight time world surfing champion Kelly Slater has just trounced Mick Fanning to win the Billabong Pro Jeffreys bay for the fourth time.

The current ratings leader scored two 8.5 rides to leave Fanning in a combination situation, notching up his fourth win from five events this year

16 July 2008 Slater Sets the Pace

2008-07-16T18:41:00.002+01:00

Slater Sets the Pace Heading into the Business End of the Billabong Pro

Photo: Kelly Slater throws some spray en route to the quarterfinals.

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Wednesday, July 16, 2008) – Kelly Slater (USA), professional surfing’s most decorated athlete, showed no signs of slowing down in Jeffreys Bay today. The eight-time ASP World Champion and current ratings leader blitzed in both his Round 3 and Round 4 Billabong Pro clashes.

Slater defeated Travis Logie 19.14 to 12.06 in Heat 8 of Round 3 before beating Tom Whitaker 18.03 to 10.67 in the last heat of the day.

“The waves just came in in that heat,” Slater said. “Tom had a few good ones, but I ended up getting the one big long one with a lot of sections on it. I think I got about eight turns in and then got that little tube at the end. Sometimes you just will your way into certain things and believe it’s going to happen and it does.”

Slater will now meet current World No. 4 Adriano de Souza in Quarterfinal 2.

“Adriano gets it done,” Slater said. “He’s learned a lot over the past couple of years and he’s been impressive out here. He’s been really fast and throwing a lot of spray, and doing a lot of turns, so I’m definitely not going to underestimate him.”

Slater’s closest competition, Joel Parkinson (AUS), relished a narrow victory over fellow Australian Kai Otton in the first heat of Round 4.

“Kai needed an 8.2, he got an 8.1 and he lost by .1,” Parkinson said. “A win is a win. I think I was kind of lucky in a way, but it’s a good result for me. My goal was to lift a little; I felt like I had another notch in me and going into tomorrow everyone is going to be surfing really well.”

Parkinson is currently rated World No. 2. With Slater still in Billabong Pro contention Parkinson knows he has to keep the pace. He will face World No. 3 Bede Durbidge (AUS) in Quarterfinal 1.

“You can’t really slack off at any point now because Kelly has got such a lead,” Parkinson said. “I pretty much have to win all my heats so I’ll try that. I can’t really do anything about what he does, but hopefully come some point toward the end of the yea, I’m still there with a chance.”

Defending Champion Taj Burrow (AUS) beat South African Royden Bryson in Round 3 and has yet to surf Round 4 – only heats one through four of that round were run today. Burrow will meet another South African in Jordy Smith in Heat 7 of Round 4.

“Jordy is a tough heat for sure,” Burrow said. “He’s gotten better and better and he’s got the local crowd behind him and he knows this wave so it will be good.”

Burrow beat Smith in the semifinals of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay in 2006 when Smith was surfing the event as a wildcard. As the sole South African remaining in the event, both Smith and the local crowd will be looking for revenge.

“I lost to Taj a couple of years ago, so hopefully we get the waves and we’ll see what happens,” Smith said. “I’d love to get him back but Taj is surfing really, really well.”

France’s Jeremy Flores will meet three-time ASP World Champion Andy Irons (HAW) in the last heat of Round 4. Both surfers escaped elimination by advancing out of Round 3 today.

“Andy is one of my favorite surfers and I’ve looked up to him since I was a little kid so having a heat with him is a pleasure,” Flores said. “If I win I’ll be so happy, if I lose it will be kind of normal so I just have to do my best!”

Twenty heats of competition were run in the four to six foot (two metre) conditions on offer today. Only 11 heats of the Billabong Pro remain.

The first heat in the water when Round 4 resumes will be Heat 5 featuring reigning ASP World Champion Mick Fanning and Hawaiian Bruce Irons. A former winner at JBay, Fanning seems unfazed by his current 7th place rating and is instead concentrating on the second half of 2008.

“I’m surfing good,” Fanning said. “I’ve just had one bad result this year, so that’s a good base for me for the rest of the tour and I really enjoy the second half of the year.”

Chances are excellent that a Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Champion will be crowned tomorrow. An official call on competition status will be made at 7am.

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Round 4 Results:
Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 12.33 def. Roy Powers (HAW) 8.56
Heat 2: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.44 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 15.17
Heat 3: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.33 def. Bobby Martinez (USA) 5.84
Heat 4: Kelly Slater (USA) 18.03 def. Tom Whitaker (AUS) 10.67

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 12.87 def. Leonardo Neves (BRA) 7.63
Heat 2: Roy Powers (HAW) 12.34 def. Luke Stedman (AUS) 11.33
Heat 3: Kai Otton (AUS) 15.00 def. Jay Thompson (AUS) 12.00
Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.00 def. Daniel Wills (AUS) 11.50
Heat 5: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 11.83 def. Mick Campbell (AUS) 5.40
Heat 6: Bobby Martinez (USA) 15.00 def. Luke Munro (AUS) 10.67
Heat 7: Tom Whitaker (AUS) 10.47 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 6.17
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) 19.14 def. Travis Logie (ZAF) 12.06
Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.50 def. Ben Bourgeois (USA) 11.16
Heat 10: Bruce Irons (HAW) 9.50 def. Dayyan Neve (AUS) 8.33
Heat 11: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 10.20 def. Kieren Perrow (AUS) 6.50
Heat 12: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 14.50 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 11.50
Heat 13: Taj Burrow (AUS) 18.34 def. Royden Bryson (ZAF) 11.16
Heat 14: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 16.17 def. Dean Morrison (AUS) 8.73
Heat 15: Andy Irons (HAW) 10.50 def. Heitor Alves (BRA) 9.66
Heat 16: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 15.00 def. Chris Ward (USA) 12.07

Upcoming Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Round 4 Match-ups:
Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Bruce Irons (HAW)
Heat 6: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 7: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Heat 8: Andy Irons (HAW) vs. Jeremy Flores (FRA)

16 July 2008 Surfers back on the waves

2008-07-16T09:43:00.000+01:00

Billabong Pro Action in the Water; the Waves Arrive in Jeffreys Bay

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Wednesday, July 16, 2008) – Round 3 of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay commenced at 7:15 this morning. With conditions in the three to four foot (two metre) and building range and 32 of the world’s best surfers still in contention, today’s action should be exceptional.

Contest officials are endeavouring to run all 16 heats of Round 3 and the first four heats of the Quarterfinals today. Should they accomplish that feat, only 11 heats will remain before a Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Champion is crowned.

Visit www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com for additional information, including videos and photos.

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Round 3 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Leonardo Neves (BRA)
Heat 2: Luke Stedman (AUS) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 3: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Jay Thompson (AUS)
Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Daniel Wills (AUS)
Heat 5: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Mick Campbell (AUS)
Heat 6: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 7: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Ben Bourgeois (USA)
Heat 10: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Bruce Irons (HAW)
Heat 11: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 12: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 13: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 14: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Heat 15: Andy Irons (HAW) vs. Heitor Alves (BRA)
Heat 16: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Chris Ward (USA)

14 July 2008 No Surfing Today

2008-07-14T08:19:00.000+01:00

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay
Stop No. 5 of 11 on the 2008 ASP World Tour
Supertubes, Jeffreys Bay, South Africa
July 10–20, 2008

Round 3 of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Off Again

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Monday, July 14, 2008) – Round 3 of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, Stop No. 5 of 11 on the 2008 ASP World Tour, will not run today. According to official Billabong Pro forecasters Surfline, a new swell should be wrapping its way in Jeffreys Bay this afternoon.

“While we’ll start to see some forerunners from this swell slowly build over the afternoon on Monday, the swell looks much better for Tuesday and even into early Wednesday,” Kevis Wallis of Surfline said.

Chances that the last two days of competition will be completed over the next three days and a champion will be crowned by Thursday, July 17, are high at this point.

Another call on competition status will be made tomorrow morning at 7.

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Round 3 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Leonardo Neves (BRA)
Heat 2: Luke Stedman (AUS) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 3: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Jay Thompson (AUS)
Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Daniel Wills (AUS)
Heat 5: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Mick Campbell (AUS)
Heat 6: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 7: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Ben Bourgeois (USA)
Heat 10: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Bruce Irons (HAW)
Heat 11: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 12: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 13: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 14: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Heat 15: Andy Irons (HAW) vs. Heitor Alves (BRA)
Heat 16: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Chris Ward (USA)

13 July 2008 Surfers explores the area

2008-07-13T18:41:00.000+01:00

Surf stars explore Eastern Cape while Billabong Pro on hold at Jeffreys Bay
Jeffreys Bay (Sunday, July 13, 2008) – Many of the world’s best surfers are out exploring the splendours of the Eastern Cape while the R2.4 million Billabong Pro remains on standby waiting for Supertubes at Jeffreys Bay to again produce the waves for which it is globally renowned.
The spectacular surfing action on Thursday and Friday saw Rounds 1 and 2 of the event completed in what has been referred to as the best surf in the past two years on the ASP World Tour. The small waves currently on offer and the prospect of much better conditions in the week ahead has prompted the organisers to utilise the event’s 11 day waiting period that extends until Sunday 20 July.
Contest Director Mike Parsons needs only two more days of competition to determine the 2008 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay champion and will make the next call on whether to resume the contest at 7am on Monday morning.
The cloudless skies and light winds created by the high pressure system covering the southern tip of the continent has encouraged the surfers, their sponsors and the dozens of A-list local and international surf media to get out and about at the only stop on the 11 event ASP World Tour where they can see the Big Five animals and record Africa vistas or participate in adrenaline generating activities.
Groups have set out for destinations between Mossel Bay to the West and Port Alfred to the East, approximately 500 Kms apart, to experience township tours, visit game parks, cuddle lion cubs, try the world’s highest commercial bungi jump, slide through the tree tops or go fishing, play golf or visit casinos.
Those following the event can still see the action from the opening two days of competition at www.billabongpro.com where the WTA section showcases the two incredible rides by Taylor Knox that have the American firmly established as the favourite to win the custom handcrafted Nixon timepiece valued at US $10 000 (approx. R78 000).
The Nixon WTA is a winner takes all competition run with different criteria at four of the premier stops on the ASP World Tour. With rides of 9.90 and 9.80, Knox’s heat tally of 19.70 out of 20 on Day 1 will be extremely difficult to beat, although the big surf and clean offshore winds forecast for Wednesday will give the 32 surfers still in contention the opportunity to do even better.
In May, Australian Ryan Hipwood won the Nixon WTA for the Heaviest Wave at the Billabong Pro Tahiti for a bone crushing ride at Teahupoo. After the award for the Highest Heat Total at Jeffreys Bay the WTA will move on to Mundaka, Euskadi, in September where the award will go to the surfer who gets the Longest Tube Ride. The last stop of the WTA will be on the North Shore of Oahu in December and the prize will go to the overall Triple Crown winner, thus rounding out competition for the year.
When competition resumes at Jeffreys Bay, current World No. 3 Bede Durbidge (AUS) will be up against Leonardo Neves (BRA) in the first heat of Round 3. Royden Bryson (East London) and Durbanites Travis Logie and Jordy Smith are the three South Africans still in contention.
Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay
Round 3 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Leonardo Neves (BRA)
Heat 2: Luke Stedman (AUS) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 3: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Jay Thompson (AUS)
Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Daniel Wills (AUS)
Heat 5: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Mick Campbell (AUS)
Heat 6: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 7: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Ben Bourgeois (USA)
Heat 10: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Bruce Irons (HAW)
Heat 11: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 12: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 13: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 14: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Heat 15: Andy Irons (HAW) vs. Heitor Alves (BRA)
Heat 16: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Chris Ward (USA)
The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay runs from July 10-20, an 11 day waiting period in which to select the best possible conditions for the 63 heats required to determine the champion.

11 July 2008 Day Two

2008-07-11T22:44:00.000+01:00

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay
Stop No. 5 of 11 on the 2008 ASP World Tour
Supertubes, Jeffreys Bay
July 10–20, 2008

Round 2 of Billabong Pro underway at Jeffreys Bay

JEFFREYS BAY (Friday, July 11, 2008) – Consistent one to 1.3 metre (3-4 foot) waves, light winds from the NNW and cloudless skies at Jeffreys Bay on Friday morning saw the Billabong Pro get underway with Round 2 at 7.30am.

Action on Day 2 of the 11-day waiting period started with a cracker-jack encounter between current World No. 2 Joel Parkinson, the 1999 event winner, and fellow Aussie and good friend Mark Occhilupo, the 1999 ASP World Champion who retired last year and earned his entry into this year’s event via a win in the VonZipper Wildcard Trials yesterday.

It was Parkinson who progressed to Round 3 as the heat format changed from the three way duels of the opening round to the man-on-man elimination match-ups where the loser is out of the event.

The second heat saw three-time world champ Andy Irons defeat another wildcard in fellow Hawaiian Granger Larsen. Despite excellent surfing by the highly rated Pro Junior, Irons’ superior power was apparent and he cruised to victory by a large margin.

With East London’s Royden Bryson the only one of the five South Africans to win his Round 1 encounter and advance directly to Round 3, there will be four heats featuring SA competitors today.

First up is wildcard winner Rudy Palmboom Jr. who faces World No. 10 Bobby Martinez (USA) in heat 3. Then Ricky Basnett (Bluff) takes on Jeremy Flores (FRA) in heat 5 before Travis Logie (Durban) is pitted against Californian Timmy Reyes in heat 8.

World No. 19 Jordy Smith (Durban), third in this event as a wildcard in 2006, has a tough match-up with Brazilian veteran Neco Padaratz in heat 15, the second last match-up of Round 2.

Surfline, the official surf forecasters for the Billabong Pro, predict the swell will gradually diminish during the day with smaller waves and onshore winds over the weekend as a high pressure system moves over the area.

Although far ahead, the prognosis for next week is excellent with a huge frontal system currently in the Roaring Forties midway between South America and Africa likely to produce the kind of waves Jeffreys Bay is world famous for starting next Tuesday.

There will be plenty of action in Jeffreys Bay over the weekend even if the competition is on hold waiting for classic surf. Not only will the world’s top surfers be out at Supertubes cutting loose in freesurfing sessions, there is an autograph session with surf stars Andy Irons, Taj Burrow, Joel Parkinson, Mark Occhilupo and the whole Billabong SA team at 5.30pm on Saturday.

Evening entertainment includes live music at The Mexican with Black Hotels and Autonative appearing tonight and A. King and Crave on the Saturday night bill.

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay

Round 2 Results

Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) def. Mark Occhilupo (AUS)

Heat 2: Andy Irons (HAW) def. Granger Larsen (HAW)

Upcoming Round 2 Match-Ups:

Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Rudy Palmboom Jr. (ZAF)

Heat 4: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Nic Muscroft (AUS)

Heat 5: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Ricky Basnett (ZAF)

Heat 6: Luke Stedman (AUS) vs. Daniel Ross (AUS)

Heat 7: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Jihad Khodr (BRA)

Heat 8: Tim Reyes (USA) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)

Heat 9: Pancho Sullivan (HAW) vs. Ben Bourgeois (USA)

Heat 10: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)

Heat 11: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Heitor Alves (BRA)

Heat 12: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)

Heat 13: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Mick Campbell (AUS)

Heat 14: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Luke Munro (AUS)

Heat 15: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Neco Padaratz (BRA)

Heat 16: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Mikael Picon (FRA)

The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay runs from July 10-20, an 11 day waiting period during which contest director Mike Parson can select the best possible conditions for the 63 heats required to determine the champion.

10 July 2008 Epic Opening Waves

2008-07-11T22:43:00.000+01:00

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay
Stop No. 5 of 11 on the 2008 ASP World Tour
Supertubes, Jeffreys Bay
July 10–20, 2008

Epic waves at Jeffreys Bay for opening day of Billabong Pro

JEFFREYS BAY (Thursday, July 10, 2008) – Jeffreys Bay fully justified its reputation as one of the world’s premier high performance surfing destinations today as the aptly named Supertubes produced what has been called the best day of surf for an ASP World Tour event in the past two years.

The opening day of the Billabong Pro was graced with a feast of spectacular performances as the world’s top 45 ranked surfers took fully advantage of the chilly but consistent one to two metre walls of water peeling down the point to post numerous near-perfect scores.

It was ASP World Tour veteran Taylor Knox (USA) who stole the show, posting near perfect 9.90 and a 9.80 wave scores for a combined total of 19.70 out of 20.00 points to take out World No. 2 Joel Parkinson and replacement surfer Nic Muscroft (AUS). Muscroft is surfing in place of an injured Aritz Aranburu (EUK).

“It's really enjoyable to be in a heat like that, it was unreal.” Knox said. “It was exciting, because Parko got the first wave and I could see that it was such a good wave and I knew that once it went by me it would barrel. Right then I saw a big one out the back and just thought, ‘I'm going to get barreled.’”

Knox utilized his entire repertoire while posting the highest heat total of his 15 year, 474 heat ASP World Tour career. In addition to his 9.90 and 9.80 Knox had a 9.00 in his scoreline to spare.

“I’ve had 10s before but I don’t think that I have ever backed it up with a 9.70 so I’d say that this was probably the highest scoring heat I’ve ever surfed,” Knox said.

Parkinson scored a perfect 10 in his heat against Knox, and backed it up with an 8.00 but still came up short. The World No. 2 will meet 1984 Jeffreys Bay Champion Mark Occhilupo (AUS), who earned a wildcard into the event via the VonZipper Trials, in Heat 1 of Round 2.

Royden Bryson was the only South African to progress directly to Round 3 after defeating Jeremy Flores (FRA) and Chris Ward (USA) in his opening encounter. The stocky goofy-foot (rides with right foot in front) nailed the victory with an excellent 8.77 point ride with five minutes remaining after the lead had changed hands throughout the heat.

“I haven’t had the best of starts to this year, but just to surf really good JBay when it’s four to six foot and perfect and then to have a home town crowd behind you cheering, it’s great," Bryson said

Eight-time ASP World Champion and ASP ratings leader Kelly Slater (USA) beat Occhilupo and Dayyan Neve (AUS) in Round 1.

“It's nice to have a heat with Occy, especially out here,” Slater said. “There's always a chance that he could get another wildcard, but every event he's in, we're all thinking it might be his last and this is the place that he has really shined over the years.”

Slater has really shined in 2008. Having claimed three of four events this season, he is well and truly poised to campaign for a ninth ASP World Title and is enjoying every minute of it.

“I've been having a lot of fun,” Slater said. “The tour has been a lot of fun and the contests have been fun. I wasn't planning on doing all of the contests this year. I wasn't planning on going to Bells and then I won Bells, so it made Tahiti and Fiji pretty hard to pass up. It's been a miracle year for me so far, everything is falling into the right places at the right times.”

Slater has won at Jeffreys Bay a record three times and stands to increase his lead if he can take out the event a fourth time. Still, Slater’s closest contenders are in form as well.

“JBay has been a great place for me competitively,” Slater said. “But if I were to win I know one of those guys close by me would be in second and another would be in third, so it wouldn't be a huge amount of ground made up, still stranger things have happened. Last year in Trestles most of the best guys lost early on and I made some ground. I could also blow it here and a whole bunch of guys could catch up, so it's still really open. Everyone gets on a hot streak for a little while, so you can't count anyone out at this point.”

World No. 5 Taj Burrow (AUS) won his heat after opening up with a 9.93, the second highest wave score of the day, for a deep barrel ride.

“I was pretty high up the top and I know that Tommy was sniffing around for the same wave, but I got onto it out the back and knew I needed to go as fast as I could,” Burrow said. “By the time I got to the sweet spot it was pretty round so I just went straight through it a couple of times, it was fun!”

Burrow is the defending champion having beaten Slater in the Billabong Pro final in Jeffreys Bay last year. He was also runner-up to the ASP World Title last year and is eager to make another run in 2008.

“I feel like I can defend my title.” Burrow said. “It's definitely on my mind because if we want to make a jump on Kelly it's a now or never kind of thing. This is an event I know I can do it in so that's my plan. Everyone is fired up and surfing so well – it's going to be awesome for the spectators but pretty hard for us!”

Reigning ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) put on a signature performance to take out Dane Reynolds (USA) and Hawaiian wildcard Granger Larsen in his Round 1 heat today.

“It was good fun; really nice waves,” Fanning said. “I'm just stoked to start the contest off with a big bang after last year which was pretty sad. When there are waves like this everyone is on their game. These are the Top 45 surfers in the world and everyone rips – so put them on an open canvas like this and watch them go.”

Fanning has dropped to 7th on the ratings but is enjoying a reprieve from the pressure that goes along with chasing a title. He is concentrating on his game, not Slater’s.

“I'm just worried about myself,” Fanning said. “I had a topsy turvy start to the year, but now everything is feeling good so I'm just going to try to concentrate on myself and get the result I need.”

Brazil’s Adriano de Souza, who sits 4th on the ratings, continued his roll to take out South Africans Jordy Smith and Travis Logie today.

"I can't believe I won that heat,” de Souza said. “To have two South African guys in my heat was really hard, they know this spot well. I was sitting out back waiting for the bomb and I got it and got a 9.00 which gave me the confidence to win the heat and beat Jordy. I've been on tour for two years, so I have more experience and I think that is how I won the heat.”

World No. 3 Bede Durbidge (AUS) beat South African Ricky Basnett and Damien Hobgood (USA) and is poised to live up to his potential at JBay.

“People always say I'm a good shot at the title here and I think I am too,” Durbidge said. “Hopefully this year I can live up to it."

Bruce Irons (HAW) scored a last minute victory to send his brother Andy and Australia’s Dan Ross to Round 2.

“I thought I lost,” Bruce said “I walked home and gave my brother my jersey to turn in. Then Joel (Parkinson) came over and told me I won on the last exchange. I didn't think I got it, but it's cool, I get to move on. I'm hoping to get a little more adjusted to the cold water though, I couldn't feel my feet.”

Andy Irons will meet wildcard Granger Larsen in Heat 2 of Round 2 which could run tomorrow.

Fellow Hawaiian Pancho Sullivan missed Round 1 citing travel challenges but will compete in the event if he can make it to South Africa before his Round 2 heat.

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay

Round 1 Results:

Heat 1: Roy Powers (HAW) 13.00, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 12.67, Tiago Pires (PRT) 9.84

Heat 2: Jay Thompson (AUS) 10.57, Ben Bourgeois (USA) 10.50, Bobby Martinez (USA) 9.70

Heat 3: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.67, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 13.54, Travis Logie (ZAF) 11.44

Heat 4: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 13.93, Ben Dunn (AUS) 12.06, Jihad Khodr (BRA) 11.27

Heat 5: Bruce Irons (HAW) 12.07, Andy Irons (HAW) 11.80, Daniel Ross (AUS) 11.83

Heat 6: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 15.00, Ricky Basnett (ZAF) 12.83, Damien Hobgood (USA) 12.76

Heat 7: Taylor Knox (USA) 19.70, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.66, Nic Muscroft (AUS) 14.77

Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.66, Dayyan Neve (AUS) 10.66, Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 8.77

Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.87, Dane Reynolds (USA) 14.06, Granger Larsen (HAW) 10.06

Heat 10: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.86, Rudy Palmboom (ZAF) 15.50, Tom Whitaker (AUS) 10.10

Heat 11: Royden Bryson (ZAF) 16.00, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.00, Chris Ward (USA) 9.00

Heat 12: Daniel Wills (AUS) 14.50, Luke Stedman (AUS) 12.53, Mikael Picon (FRA) 10.67

Heat 13: Leonardo Neves (BRA) 13.44, Kai Otton (AUS) 11.04, Neco Padaratz (BRA) 10.77

Heat 14: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 16.27, Heitor Alves (BRA) 11.50, Tim Reyes (USA) 11.36

Heat 15: Dean Morrison (AUS) 14.33, Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) 12.24, Luke Munro (AUS) 8.60

Heat 16: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 13.50, Michael Campbell (AUS) 8.17, Pancho Sullivan (HAW) NS

Upcoming Round 2 Match-Ups:

Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Mark Occhilupo (AUS)

Heat 2: Andy Irons (HAW) vs. Granger Larsen (HAW)

Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Rudy Palmboom Jr. (ZAF)

Heat 4: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Nic Muscroft (AUS)

Heat 5: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Ricky Basnett (ZAF)

Heat 6: Luke Stedman (AUS) vs. Daniel Ross (AUS)

Heat 7: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Jihad Khodr (BRA)

Heat 8: Tim Reyes (USA) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)

Heat 9: Pancho Sullivan (HAW) vs. Ben Bourgeois (USA)

Heat 10: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)

Heat 11: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Heitor Alves (BRA)

Heat 12: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)

Heat 13: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Mick Campbell (AUS)

Heat 14: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Luke Munro (AUS)

Heat 15: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Neco Padaratz (BRA)

Heat 16: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Mikael Picon (FRA)

VonZipper Wildcard Trials

Heat 1
1. Mark Occhilupo (AUS)
2. Dale Staples (St Francis Bay)
3. Shaun Payne (St Francis Bay)

4. Chad du Toit (Berea, Durban)

Heat 2
1. Rudy Palmboom Jr. (Bluff)

2. Damien Fahrenfort (Kommetjie)

3. Klee Strachan (Winkelspruit)

4. Shaun Joubert (Mossel Bay)

Heat 3
1. Granger Larsen (HAW)
2. Tamaroa McComb (TAH)
4. Peterson Crisanto (BRA)
3. Warwick Wright (Durban)

10 July 2008 Occy Earns Wildcard

2008-07-11T22:41:00.000+01:00

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay
Stop No. 5 of 11 on the 2008 ASP World Tour
Supertubes, Jeffreys Bay
July 10–20, 2008

Mark Occhilupo earns wildcard to take on Kelly Slater in Round 1 of Billabong Pro at Jeffreys Bay

JEFFREYS BAY (Thursday, July 10, 2008) – The 2008 Billabong Pro got underway in icy conditions at first light in Jeffreys Bay this morning when contest director Mike Parsons had no hesitation in sending the Von Zipper Wildcard trials out as consistent one to 1.5 metre swells peeled down the fabled Supertubes point.

Using the trademark manoeuvres he has perfected since winning the inaugural Billabong Country Feeling Classic back in 1984, surfing icon Mark Occhilupo (AUS) earned the first of the three wildcards at stake to set up a highly anticipated match-up against 8X world champ and current ASP World No. 1 Kelly Slater (USA) later today.

The second VZ Wildcard went to top SA Pro Junior Rudy Palmboom Jr. from the Bluff who defeated a trio of compatriots before Granger Larsen (HAW), America’s top ranked Pro Junior, snagged the third wildcard ahead of internationals Tamaroa McComb (TAH) and Peterson Crisanto (BRA) and Durban’s Warwick Wright.

Palmboom and Larsen will take on defending Billabong Pro champion Taj Burrow (AUS) and reigning ASP World Champion and the No. 2 seed in J-Bay, Mick Fanning (AUS).

The action moved directly into Round 1 of the R2.4 million main event, the fifth of 11 stops on the 2008 ASP World Tour, where Roy Powers (HAW) secured victory over 10th seed Adrian ‘Ace’ Buchan (AUS) and Tiago Pires (POR) in the first heat.

Powers advanced directly to Round 3 while Buchan and Pires will be reseeded into the cutthroat Round 2 where the heat format changes to man-on-man with the winner progressing and the loser eliminated in 33rd place overall, earning US $4 700 (approx R36 000) and 225 ratings points.

Powers was joined in Round 3 by Jay Thompson (AUS) who defeated Ben Bourgeois (USA) by a slender seven hundredths of a point (10.57 vs. 10.50) with 9th seed Bobby Martinez (USA) in third place in heat two.

The Billabong Pro was officially opened by Jeffreys Bay Mayor Robbie Dennis who welcomed everyone to the bustling Eastern Cape coastal town before performances by the Kiss of Heaven dance troupe from Pellsrus and the Billabong Staff Choir and traditional blessings of the event and the waves by local sangomas Beauty (Jeffreys Bay) and Thobela (Port Elizabeth).

Competition is expected to continue throughout the first day of the event as Parsons makes full use of the excellent conditions on offer ahead of what is predicted Surfline, the official surf forecasters for the Billabong Pro, to be a sunny but wave-starved weekend.

The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay runs from July 10-20, an 11 day waiting period during which contest director Mike Parson can select the best possible conditions for the 63 heats required to determine the champion.

The Billabong Pro will be webcast LIVE on www.billabongpro.com featuring multiple camera angles, replays, scoring, expert commentary in four languages and video on demand of all previous heats in the event.

Visit the Backstage section for the lowdown on behind the scenes activities and the Press Room for news, images, transcribed athlete interviews and more.

VonZipper Wildcard Trials

Heat 1
1. Mark Occhilupo (AUS)
2. Dale Staples (St Francis Bay)
3. Shaun Payne (St Francis Bay)

4. Chad du Toit (Berea, Durban)

Heat 2
1. Rudy Palmboom Jr. (Bluff)

2. Damien Fahrenfort (Kommetjie)

3. Klee Strachan (Winkelspruit)

4. Shaun Joubert (Mossel Bay)

Heat 3
1. Granger Larsen (HAW)
2. Tamaroa McComb (TAH)
4. Peterson Crisanto (BRA)
3. Warwick Wright (Durban)

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay

Round 1 Match-Ups:

Heat 1: Adrian Buchan (AUS), Roy Powers (HAW), Tiago Pires (PRT)

Heat 2: Bobby Martinez (USA), Jay Thompson (AUS), Ben Bourgeois (USA)

Heat 3: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Jordy Smith (ZAF), Travis Logie (ZAF)

Heat 4: C.J. Hobgood (USA), Ben Dunn (AUS), Jihad Khodr (BRA)

Heat 5: Andy Irons (HAW), Bruce Irons (HAW), Daniel Ross (AUS)

Heat 6: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Damien Hobgood (USA), Ricky Basnett (ZAF)

Heat 7: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Taylor Knox (USA), Nic Muscroft (AUS)

Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA), Dayyan Neve (AUS), TBD

Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS), Dane Reynolds (USA), TBD

Heat 10: Taj Burrow (AUS), Tom Whitaker (AUS), TBD

Heat 11: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Chris Ward (USA), Royden Bryson (ZAF)

Heat 12: Luke Stedman (AUS), Mikael Picon (FRA), Daniel Wills (AUS)

Heat 13: Kai Otton (AUS), Neco Padaratz (BRA), Leonardo Neves (BRA)

Heat 14: Tim Reyes (USA), Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Heitor Alves (BRA)

Heat 15: Dean Morrison (AUS), Luke Munro (AUS), Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)

Heat 16: Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Michael Campbell (AUS), Kieren Perrow (AUS)

9 July 2008 Golf Day raises R150 000

2008-07-09T21:16:00.000+01:00

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay
Stop No. 5 of 11 on the 2008 ASP World Tour
Supertubes, Jeffreys Bay
July 10–20, 2008

Billabong Pro Golf Day raises over R150 000 for Supertubes Foundation

JEFFREYS BAY (Wednesday, July 9, 2008) – The fund-raising golf day staged at the Jack Nicklaus St Francis Links on Tuesday in the lead up to the annual R2.4 million Billabong Pro surfing event at Jeffreys Bay raised in excess of R150 000 for the non-profit Supertubes Foundation.
Featuring a dozen of the world’s best surfers in corporate four-balls and an auction of surfing memorabilia, the event was the brain-child of Billabong South Africa CEO Ernest Bendeman with the dual objectives of making the ASP World Tour superstars more accessible to a broad range of South Africans while simultaneously accumulating funds for worthy causes.
“The inaugural Billabong Pro Golf Day was a great success and exceeded our objectives,” Bendeman said. “The golf and the auction raised more than double what we had anticipated and was a fun day for all involved. It will contribute substantially to the running costs of the Supertubes Foundation that does such good work in enhancing the beaches of Jeffreys Bay where Billabong South Africa’s headquarters are based.”
The function also honoured surfing icon Marc Occhilupo, the 1984 Billabong Pro champion and 1999 ASP World Champion, who retired at the end of 2007 and will be competing for one of the three wildcards at stake in the VonZipper Wildcard Trials which precede the main event
After a round of golf on the testing Jack Nicklaus designed course at St Francis Bay the participants were treated to dinner and then an offbeat auction conducted by radio DJ Kevin Fine who managed to extract great prices for the various lots that included surfboards from Occhilupo, current World No. 2 ranked surfer Joel Parkinson and Hawaiian brothers Andy and Bruce Irons.
There were also huge vinyl prints of the outstanding paintings created by Californian artist Phil Roberts for the four Billabong sponsored ASP World Tour events at Pipeline in Hawaii, Teahupoo in Tahiti, Mundaka in Spain and naturally Jeffreys Bay in South Africa. The four works of art attracted bids totaling over R40 000.
Go to www.billabongpro.com and visit the Backstage section for further information on the story of how the works of art were created.
After the success of the inaugural Billabong Pro Golf Day the event looks likely to become an annual feature on the South African sporting calendar.
About Supertubes Foundation
The mission of the Supertubes Foundation is to rescue endemic and endangered plants from sites being developed, to beautify Jeffreys Bay with rescued plants and to protect the coastal dune area, upgrade beach access and boardwalks as well as to co-ordinate beach cleanups.
Supertubes Foundation is a joint venture between three local surfing clubs which is entirely funded by donations and fundraising through projects initiated by the members and employees of the Foundation. The Foundation has made visual improvements in the Jeffreys Bay area since its inception in 2002.
More on the Foundation can be found at www.supertubesfoundation.com
  Issued on behalf of:
Billabong South Africa
Contact:            Peter Nicholson
Telephone:        +27 (0) 42 200 2600
Email:               peter.nicholson@billabong.co.za
Compiled and issued by:
Life's a Beach Communications
PO Box 48272, Kommetjie 7976, South Africa
Tel:              +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Fax:             +27 (0) 86 684 6250
Mobile:         +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email:           lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

8 July 2008 Golf Day Starts Billabong Pro

2008-07-08T20:15:00.002+01:00

World’s top surfers get Billabong Pro underway with Golf Day
JEFFREYS BAY (Tuesday, July 8, 2008) – The inaugural Billabong Pro Golf Day has drawn a host of the world’s best surfers to the Jack Nicklaus St Francis Links today in the lead up to the start of the R2.4 million Billabong Pro, the fifth of 11 stops on the 2008 ASP World Tour, which runs from July 10-20.
Created to raise funds for the Supertubes Foundation and honour 1999 ASP World Champion Mark ‘Occy’ Occhilupo who retired at the end of 2007, the golf day features four-balls that include one of the world’s top 45 ranked surfers.
Occhilupo, along with the likes of current World No. 2 Joel Parkinson (AUS), three time ASP World Champion Andy Irons, his brother Bruce and fellow Hawaiian Fred Patacchia, have all swapped their surfboards for golf clubs for the day and will be attending the dinner and auction of golf and surfing memorabilia this evening.
The fund-raiser will benefit the Supertubes Foundation, a non-profit organisation that keeps the beaches of Jeffreys Bay in a pristine condition and repatriates indigenous plants from building sites, replanting them in the dunes along the water’s edge in the town.
The golf day begins 12 days of non-stop action as the eyes of the surfing world are firmly fixed on the bustling coastal town and home of Supertubes, universally acknowledged as one of the planet’s premier point breaks. In addition to the highest level of surfing competition there is live music, autograph signing sessions with the surf stars and all the razzmatazz that surrounds globally renowned sports events.
The line-up for the Billabong Pro includes eight-time ASP World Champion and runaway ratings leader Kelly Slater (USA), a three-time winner of the event who has won three of the four events so far this year, along with 2007 event champion Taj Burrow and fellow Australians Joel Parkinson and Bede Durbidge, the current No. 2 and No. 3 in the rankings respectively.
Local hopes will be pinned on rookie ASP World Tour campaigner Jordy Smith (Durban) who rocketed into the global spotlight two years ago when claiming third place in the event as a wildcard. Smith, currently ranked No. 19, will be joined by fellow South Africans Travis Logie (Durban), Ricky Basnett (Bluff) and local Eastern Cape standout Royden Bryson (East London).
The main event will be preceded by the VonZipper Trials where 12 contenders will lock horns in a battle for the three available wildcards that enable them test their skills against the top three seeds. This year’s trialists include eight South African hopefuls taking on four internationals who include Occhilupo, American rising star Granger Larsen and teenage superstars Tamaroa McComb (TAH) and Peterson Crisanto (BRA), the winner and runner-up in the under 16 division of the recent ISA World Junior Championships in France.
All the action will be covered live on the state-of-the-art webcasts which can be found at www.billabongpro.com and feature multiple camera angles, live scoring and expert commentary in English, Portuguese, Spanish and French. The website also carries in-depth news, interviews and images along with the VonZipper ‘Say What?’ competition where viewers can win prizes if their questions for the stars are selected.
The Billabong Pro will also be covered in daily television highlights packages premiering on SuperSport 6 at 10pm each evening and repeated on various channels of SuperSport throughout the following day alongside numerous national news bulletins and plenty of radio and print coverage.
The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay runs from July 10-20, an 11 day waiting period during which contest director Mike Parson can select the best possible conditions for the 63 heats required to determine the champion.
The contest looks likely to get underway on Thursday morning as ‘ideal’ conditions are forecast for Wednesday with strong Westerly winds and a rising swell that is predicted to produce overhead waves at Supertubes.
About Supertubes Foundation
The mission of the Supertubes Foundation is to rescue endemic and endangered plants from sites being developed, to beautify Jeffreys Bay with rescued plants and to protect the coastal dune area, upgrade beach access and boardwalks as well as to co-ordinate beach cleanups.
Supertubes Foundation is a joint venture between three local surfing clubs which is entirely funded by donations and fundraising through projects initiated by the members and employees of the Foundation. The Foundation has made visual improvements in the Jeffreys Bay area since its inception in 2002.
More on the Foundation can be found at www.supertubesfoundation.com

8 July 2008 Golf Day Starts Billabong Pro

2008-07-08T20:15:00.000+01:00

The Chase is on

2008-06-27T08:43:00.000+01:00

The Chase is On at Upcoming Billabong Pro in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Thursday, June 26, 2008) – With the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay fast approaching, the attention of 44 of the ASP’s Top 45 surfers is focused on stopping one man – eight-time ASP World Champion and current World No. 1 Kelly Slater (USA).

Slater has dominated the 2008 ASP season, clinching three of four events held thus far. The 2008 victory he didn’t secure went to an event wildcard and the ratings points associated with that win went unclaimed by a tour surfer.

Slater heads into the Billabong Pro an event favorite having won the contest three times – in 1996, 2003 and 2005. He finished runner-up to Taj Burrow (AUS) in Jeffreys Bay last year and secured a 3rd place result there in 2006.

“JBay has been one of my best events,” Slater said. “I’ve had three wins out there, but it’s obviously a good event for Taj, a good event for Parko [Joel Parkinson], a good event for Andy [Irons] and it suits Bede [Durbidge] really well.”

Joel Parkinson (AUS) and Bede Durbidge (AUS) are ranked 2nd and 3rd behind Slater while Taj Burrow (AUS) and Andy Irons (HAW) sit 5th and 8th respectively. Parkinson, who has finished runner-up to the ASP World Title winner twice in his seven years on tour, knows the task at hand is a daunting one.

“Kelly is, once again, in great form and he is always hard to beat,” Parkinson said. “With four events down, every event is critical as the pack try to make up ground on the leader. The chasing pack has to keep finding another level in their surfing to reach the bar that constantly gets raised.”

Parkinson won his first-ever ASP World Tour event in Jeffreys Bay as a wildcard in 1999. Despite several quarter and semifinal appearances at JBay in the decade since his maiden victory, Parkinson has been unable to repeat at Supertubes and hasn’t won an event since 2006.

“Without a doubt, JBay is one of my favorite waves on tour,” Parkinson said. “I have had some good results there but haven’t won since 1999. I am looking forward to surfing there again – it is a special place and I am going to be giving it my all this year.”

Durbidge, who is enjoying his first season as a solid ASP World Title contender, will be looking to back up a strong start to the year with a win in South Africa.

“I have had some solid results in Jeffreys, a 5th and a 9th,” Durbidge said. “I really enjoy the wave and it suits my style so I’m looking to put in a good showing there this year. We are all playing catch up now, so a win at Jbay would be perfect for me. I have had some good results this year, but I really want a win to make up some ground.”

Durbidge knows that Slater needs to slip up and he needs to excel if he wants to close the gap.

“Kelly is definitely making it tough for us title contenders this year, he has had pretty much a dream start,” Durbidge said. “It will be hard, but there are still seven events left. I will have to get on a roll and make no mistakes – hopefully he will make them.”

The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay is the fifth event of 11 on the 2008 ASP World Tour. The last leg of the tour took place in the South Pacific in May and early June and the ASP Top 45 will have had close to a month to prepare for the wintertime waters of Jeffreys Bay.

Wildcards Billabong Pro 2008

2008-06-09T22:54:00.003+01:00

VonZipper Wildcard Trials

Trials for ASP World Tour event # 5Jeffreys Bay South Africa10 - 20 July 2008

Local Surfers selected for VonZipper Wildcard Trials

VonZipper sunglasses are proud to announce the six local surfers for the VZ Wildcard Trials, held during the R2.4 million Billabong Pro in Jeffreys Bay from 10 -20 July. These six will be paired against the six international contenders for a three heat showdown to determine who will advance into the main event. First up is the seasoned WQS duo of Warwick Wright and Damien Fahrenfort, no strangers to the pressures of the competitive surfing arena, and no strangers to the Trials side of life. Both succeeded in getting a slot into the main event last year and are currently in 30th and 39th position respectively on the WQS.
Joining them is local stand out and former WQS campaigner turned free surfer, Shaun Payne, who last year made a great impression by not only getting a slot into the main event, but by claiming the scalp of Damien Hobgood along the way. Home court advantage and great skills are sure to set the stage and big things are expected of Shaun for this year’s event. Next on the horizon is junior standout and rookie WQS competitor, Rudy Palmboom Jnr, who is in possession of one of the most complete repertoires of surfing maneuvers this side of the equator. He is joined by fellow stand outs Klee Strachan of Winkelspruit, and Chad Du Toit of Durban. Chad made the final slot by virtue of beating all comers in the Billabong Junior series so far this year. The stage is set, let our brethren from across the oceans bring their challengers and may the best surfers prevail.

5 June 2008, Billabong Pro J Bay

2008-06-05T18:19:00.000+01:00

Billabong Pro
Stop No 5 of 11 on the 2008 ASP World Tour
Supertubes, Jeffreys Bay, South Africa
10 – 20 July 2008

Eyes of the surfing world fixed on Jeffreys Bay during Billabong Pro in July

The eyes of the surfing world will be firmly fixed on Jeffreys Bay during July as the world’s best surfers go to work on the universally renowned waves during the R2.3 million (US $320 000) Billabong Pro, the fifth of 11 events on the 2008 ASP World Tour.

Supertubes, the venue for the 24th edition of what has become Africa’s most prestigious and lucrative surfing tournament, is unanimously acknowledged as one of the planet’s top 10 high performance surf breaks.

Add the talent of the world’s 45 highest ranked surfers, including 8X World Champion and current run-away ratings leader Kelly Slater (Florida), reigning World Champion Mick Fanning, defending event champion Taj Burrow (AUS) and former 3X World Champion Andy Irons (Hawaii).

Then stir in a mixture of the planet’s A-list surf journalists, photographers and videographers; national and global distribution of TV footage of each day’s action; saturation coverage on websites and webcasts featuring live video images and scoring accompanied by expert commentary in English, Spanish. Portuguese and French.

The result is hundreds of thousands of surf fans worldwide logging millions of page impressions on http://www.billabongpro.com/ around the clock between July 10 – 20 while following the fortunes of their favourite surfers via live and recorded action from the event site.

The Billabong Pro has an 11 day waiting period – July 10 to 20 – but only requires four full days of competition to determine a champion, giving the organisers the luxury of being able to choose the best possible conditions in which to run the contest and ensuring cutting edge performances by the world’s best surfers.

Current World No. 2 and 1999 Billabong Pro champion Joel Parkinson (AUS) will be back to try for a second crown alongside emerging talents like Bede Durbidge (AUS), Adriano de Souza (BRA), Jeremy Flores (FRA) and rookie sensation Dane Reynolds (USA), who will be making his debut at Supertubes.

South Africa’s four contenders in the main draw are four-year veteran Travis Logie (Durban), Royden Bryson (East London), Ricky Basnett (Bluff) and exciting rookie Jordy Smith (Durban) who reached the semi-finals as a wildcard in his inaugural World Tour event in 2006.

The 45 World Tour campaigners will be joined in the 48 man format by three wildcards who are determined by the Von Zipper Wildcard Trials. Staged on the morning of the first day the contest runs, the VZ Trials comprise six top SA surfers versus six rising international stars with the winner of each of the three four-man heats receiving a wildcard into the Billabong Pro, and the opportunity to test their skills against the world’s best at Supers.

While the international contenders are yet to be announced, the SA contenders will be Durbanites Warwick Wright and Chad du Toit, Rudy Palmboom (Bluff), Klee Strachan (Winkelspruit), Damien Fahrenfort (Kommetjie) and Shaun Payne (St Francis Bay).

For those attending the Billabong Pro, the 2008 event also features plenty of evening entertainment including live music at The Mexican, revamped spectator-friendly infrastructure and the world’s most technologically advanced control tower.

Billabong Pro Golf Day

2008-06-01T18:23:00.001+01:00

Billabong Pro Golf Day

Billabong Pro Golf Day to raise funds for Supertubes Foundation

The inaugural Billabong Pro Golf Day will be held at the Jack Nicklaus St Francis Links on Tuesday 8 July to raise funds for the Supertubes Foundation and honour former ASP World Champion Mark ‘Occy’ Occhilupo who retired at the end of 2007.

The fundraiser presents the opportunity for golfers from all walks of life to meet and mingle with the world’s best surfers on a five star golf course with each four-ball including a member of the ASP Top 45. The day’s action will be followed by a dinner to celebrate Occy’s career and achievements, his close association with Jeffreys Bay, Billabong SA founder Cheron Kraak and the local community over the past 25 years.

Occhilupo won the first ASP rated surfing event to be staged at Supertubes as an 18 year-old in 1984 and then bailed out of competitive surfing while ranked in the top 5 in 1988. Resurrecting his career in the mid 90’s, the Australian legend went on to stage the greatest come-back in the history of the sport, culminating in his capturing the ASP World Title in 1999 and competing at the highest level until retiring last year at the age of 42.

The evening function will incorporate an auction at which both surf and golf memorabilia will go to highest bidders to raise additional funds for the Supertubes Foundation, the Jeffreys Bay based community organisation that keeps the beaches of the town in pristine condition, rehabilitating indigenous flora from building sites and replanting it along the ocean’s edge, in the dunes and around the town.

The Jack Nicklaus St Francis Links is situated in St Francis Bay and acknowledged as one of the country’s best golf courses, receiving a ‘Five Star Golf Experience’ award from Compleat Golfer and voted ‘Best New Golf Course in South Africa’ by Golf Digest in 2007

The Golf Day and fundraiser takes place in the lead up to the Billabong Pro, the country’s most lucrative and prestigious surfing event which features the world’s top 45 ranked professional surfers and runs at Jeffreys Bay from July10-20.

At this stage the likes of 8X World Champion Kelly Slater, 3x world champ Andy Irons, current World No. 2 and 3, Joel Parkinson and Bede Durbidge, and Occy, amongst others, have confirmed their involvement in the Billabong Pro Golf Day and fundraiser.

While many of the four-balls in the tournament have been sold to corporate entities, any group wishing to participate can contact Ernest Bendeman at ernest.bendeman@billabong.co.za or 042 200 2600. All in all the, event will be a fun day with the opportunity to socialize with the top surfers, celebrate Occy’s career and hear his often hilarious anecdotes and insights while supporting a good cause.

About Supertubes Foundation
The mission of the Supertubes Foundation is to rescue endemic and endangered plants from sites being developed, to beautify Jeffreys Bay with rescued plants and to protect the coastal dune area, upgrade beach access and boardwalks as well as to co-ordinate beach cleanups.

Supertubes Foundation is a joint venture between three local surfing clubs which are entirely funded by donations and fundraising through projects initiated by the members and employees of the Foundation. The Foundation has made visual improvements in the Jeffreys Bay area since its inception in 2002.